Auxiliary container for physical association with conventional medication container

ABSTRACT

An auxiliary container ( 10 ) adapted for unintrusive coupling with a conventional medication container ( 12 ), such as pill bottle, cream tube, or spray can, wherein the auxiliary container ( 10 ) provides an independent storage space ( 26 ) which does not require breaking a seal of, removing, or replacing an existing lid ( 70 ) or cap of the conventional container ( 12 ). In one contemplated use, for example, the auxiliary container ( 10 ) is used to store small doses of a supplementary medication ( 14 ), such as aspirin, in close association with a primary medication (e.g., a heart medicine such as nitroglycerine), such that both are conveniently available and accessible for immediate use. In a preferred first embodiment, the auxiliary container ( 10 ) broadly comprises a body ( 16 ); a lid ( 18 ); a closure mechanism ( 20 ); and a coupling mechanism ( 22 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to medication containers. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to an auxiliary container adaptedfor unintrusive coupling with a conventional medication container, suchas, for example, a pill bottle, cream tube, or spray can, with theauxiliary container providing an independent storage compartment for asupplementary medication, such as, for example, aspirin, or similarcontents, wherein coupling the auxiliary container with the conventionalcontainer does not require breaking a seal of, removing, or replacing anexisting lid or cap of the conventional container or otherwise exposingits contents.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] It is often desirable to have small doses of a supplementarymedication conveniently available and accessible for immediate use,possibly in conjunction with use of a primary medication. For example,arterial occlusion during a heart attack results from plateletaggregation or clumping in the blood. Aspirin alters this process bypreventing further clotting within the heart during the heart attack,thereby substantially increasing survivability. Thus, the American HeartAssociation recommends taking aspirin at the first sign of a heartattack. An estimated 10,000 lives could be saved annually if thisrecommendation were followed. Similarly, regular use of aspirin after atransient ischemic attack or minor stroke can reduce the occurrence ofadditional strokes. It is estimated that thousands of strokes and100,000 deaths worldwide could be prevented through daily, low-doseadministration of aspirin.

[0005] Nevertheless, many heart patients carry their primary medicationbut do not carry aspirin. One reason for this may be the inconvenienceof having to carry a separate bottle of aspirin in addition to one ormore bottles of the patients' other medication(s). One solution is tocarry only a few aspirin tablets, such as, for example, a single dose ora single day's supply. Unfortunately, though this results in lesscarrying inconvenience, the small tablets are easily misplaced or lostor are otherwise not immediately accessible when needed. Furthermore,where the supplementary medication is carried loosely, an undesirable orunsafe risk of contamination may arise. Additionally, those that doregularly carry aspirin, whether in a bottle or otherwise, are forced,during the onset of a heart attack, to locate both their primarymedication and the aspirin, open both child-proof containers, andadminister both medications. It will be appreciated that successfullyaccomplishing this redundant process during the stress and strain of aheart attack is unlikely.

[0006] In the prior art, lids or caps are known that outright replacethe existing lid or cap of the primary medication's conventionalcontainer to provide a small enclosed space suitable for storing smallobjects separate from the contents of the main body of the conventionalcontainer. While these known lids or caps overcome many of thelimitations mentioned above, they are designed to physically replace theexisting lid or cap, thereby requiring that the conventional containerbe opened and its contents exposed. In certain cases, such exposure canbe highly undesirable. Sublingual nitroglycerin tablets, for example,can lose potency if exposed for repeated or prolonged periods of time.Furthermore, it will be appreciated that such a replacement lid or capmust be dimensioned to fit a particular size or type of bottle, therebyrequiring that an impractically large variety of such lids or caps bemanufactured.

[0007] Due to these and other problems in the art, an improved mechanismis needed whereby small doses of supplementary medications may be keptconveniently available for immediate use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention overcomes the above-described problems toprovide a distinct advance in the art of medication containers. Morespecifically, the present invention provides an auxiliary containeradapted for unintrusive coupling with a conventional medicationcontainer, such as, for example, a pill bottle, cream tube, or spraycan, with the auxiliary container providing an independent storagecompartment for supplementary medication, such as, for example, aspirin,or similar contents, wherein coupling the auxiliary container with theconventional container does not require breaking a seal of, removing, orreplacing an existing lid or cap of the conventional container orotherwise exposing its contents. In one contemplated use, for example,the auxiliary container is used to store aspirin in close associationwith a primary heart medication (e.g., sublingual nitroglycerine), suchthat both are conveniently accessible for immediate use.

[0009] In a preferred first embodiment, the auxiliary container broadlycomprises a body; a lid; a closure mechanism; and a coupling mechanism.The body substantially defines an interior space wherein, for example,the supplementary medication may be safely stored. The body may affectany suitable and practical size and shape, such as, for example,cylindrical or polygonal, but is preferably approximately large enoughto store between 1-6 common aspirin tablets. The body presents anopening to allow access to the interior space and the contents storedtherein. The lid is operable to removably cover the opening in the body,thereby securing and protecting the supplementary medication storedtherein. The lid may be of any suitable and practical type, such as, forexample, flip-up, screw-on, or push-on. The closure mechanism operatesto secure the lid over the opening of the body. The closure mechanismmay be of any suitable and practical type, such as, for example, catch,latch, detent, or compression. The coupling mechanism functions toremovably couple the body with the conventional container. The couplingmechanism may be of any suitable and practical type, such as, forexample, adhesive, hook-and-loop, catch, or compression.

[0010] In operation, a user simply couples the auxiliary container withthe conventional container using the coupling mechanism. Regardless ofthe type of coupling mechanism used, it is not necessary to unseal,remove, or replace the conventional container's original lid, therebyeliminating potentially damaging exposure of the contents of theconventional container. It will be appreciated that, depending on thecoupling mechanism used, the auxiliary container is potentially usablewith any size or type of conventional container, thereby reducingmanufacturing and inventory costs by requiring fewer versions than thereplacement lids or caps of the prior art. The user then fills theauxiliary container and closes the lid to engage the closure mechanism,thereby securing the lid and preventing loss or exposure of thecontents. Thereafter, the contents are available for immediate usewhenever and wherever the conventional container is present, without theburden of carrying a separate large container, such as, for example, alarge aspirin bottle, or the loss or contamination risk associated withloosely carrying individual pills or doses.

[0011] In one contemplated embodiment, advertisements may be presentedon one or more appropriate exterior surfaces of the auxiliary container.These advertisements, it will be appreciated, would most likely be forhealth-related products or services, such as for example, particularbrand names of medications.

[0012] These and other important aspects of the present invention aremore fully described in the section entitled DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF APREFERRED EMBODIMENT, below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described indetail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

[0014]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an auxiliary container constructedin accordance with a preferred first embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional elevation view of the embodimentshown in FIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the auxiliary container constructedin accordance with a preferred second embodiment of the presentinvention; and

[0017]FIG. 4 is a sectional elevation view of the embodiment shown inFIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an auxiliary container 10 is shownconstructed in accordance with a preferred first embodiment of thepresent invention. The auxiliary container 10 is adapted for unintrusivecoupling with a conventional medication container 12, such as, forexample, a pill bottle, cream tube, or spray can, with the auxiliarycontainer 10 providing independent storage for a supplementarymedication 14, such as, for example, aspirin, or similar contents, inclose association with the conventional container 12 and its contents,such that both are conveniently available and easily accessible forimmediate use.

[0019] In the preferred first embodiment, the auxiliary container 10broadly comprises a body 16; a lid 18; a closure mechanism 20; and acoupling mechanism 22. The body 16 substantially defines an interiorspace 24 wherein, for example, the supplementary medication 14 may besafely stored. The body 16 may affect any suitable and practical sizeand shape, such as, for example, cylindrical or polygonal. Asillustrated, the body 16 is substantially cylindrical, having a radiusof approximately between 0.50-1.50 inch, and a depth of approximatelybetween 0.20-0.50 inch, resulting in a volume of between approximately0.16-0.32 cubic inch. Thus, the body 16 is approximately large enough tostore between 1-6 common aspirin tablets. The body 16 presents anopening 26 allowing access to the interior space 24 and thesupplementary medication 14 stored therein.

[0020] In one contemplated embodiment, advertisements may be presentedon one or more appropriate exterior surfaces of the body 16. Theseadvertisements, it will be appreciated, would most likely be forhealth-related products or services, such as for example, particularbrand names of medications.

[0021] A bevel 30 may be provided on an exterior surface at the opening26 of the body 16 to facilitate access to the interior space 24.Alternatively, where the lid 18 is a screw-type lid, an exterior surfaceof the lid 18 may presents knurls (not shown) or other protrusions forenhancing a user's grip.

[0022] A tab 32 may be provided for facilitating removal of theauxiliary container 10 from the conventional container 12, or forproviding an attachment point for securing the auxiliary container 10using a cord, wire, keychain, or fastener. The tab 32 projects radiallyoutward from the exterior surface of the body 16, and includes a hole 34extending completely through the tab 32 and operable to receive thecord, wire, keychain, or fastener.

[0023] The lid 18 is operable to removably cover the opening 26 in thebody 16, thereby securing and protecting the supplementary medication 14stored therein. The lid 18 may be of any suitable and practical type,such as, for example, flip-up, screw-on, or push-on. As illustrated, thelid 18 is a flip-up lid connected to the body 16 by a hinge 38 orsimilarly moveable or flexible connection.

[0024] The closure mechanism 20 operates to secure the lid 18 over theopening 26 in the body 18. The closure mechanism 20 may be of anysuitable and practical type, such as, for example, catch, latch, detent,or compression. As illustrated, the closure mechanism 20 is acompression-type post/hole coupling mechanism comprising a first portion40 associated with the body 16 and a second portion 50 associated withthe lid 18. The first portion 40 takes the form of an elongated hollowcylinder 42 projecting forth from an interior surface of the body 16 topresent a free end 44 having an opening in substantial alignment withthe opening of the body 16 and protruding slightly therebeyond. Thesecond portion 50 of the closure mechanism 20 takes the form of an innerelongated hollow cylinder 52 annularly nested within an outer elongatedhollow cylinder 53, wherein each cylinder 52,53 projects forth from aninterior surface of the lid 18 to present respective free ends 54,55having openings aligned with and corresponding to the free end 44 of thefirst portion 40. The inner elongated hollow cylinder 52 is dimensionedso that its free end 54 fits snugly within the opening in the free end44 of the first portion 40, and the outer elongated hollow cylinder 53is dimensioned so that its free end 55 fits around the free end 44 ofthe first portion 40. Thus, when the lid 18 is closed, the free end 44of the first portion 40 is snugly trapped within the annular spacebetween the inner and outer elongated hollow cylinders 54,55.

[0025] The coupling mechanism 22 functions to removably couple the body16 with the conventional container 12. The coupling mechanism 22 may beof any suitable and practical type, such as, for example, adhesive,hook-and-loop, catch, or compression. As illustrated, the couplingmechanism 22 is an adhesive-type mechanism comprising a piece ofmaterial 60 sized to correspond with a substantially flat exteriorsurface of the body 16, with the material 60 having a first adhesiveside 62 and a second adhesive side 64. The first side 62 is adhered tothe substantially flat exterior surface of the body 16, and the secondside 64 is adhered to a substantially flat exterior surface of theconventional container 12, such as a lid 70 or other top portionthereof. Thus, the adhesive provides a reliable chemical bond betweenthe body 16 and the conventional container 12.

[0026] It will be appreciated that the concept of the present inventionis independent of any particular body shape, lid type, closuremechanism, or coupling mechanism such that a variety of alternativeconfigurations and embodiments may be devised which do not depart fromthe contemplated scope of the present invention.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, for example, a preferred secondembodiment of the auxiliary container 110 is shown which issubstantially similar to the above-described embodiment, being alsoadapted for unintrusive coupling with the conventional container 112 andalso operable to store one or more doses of the supplementary medication114 in close association with the primary medication in the conventionalcontainer 112. The preferred second embodiment, however, provides adifferent type of closure mechanism 120 and a different type of couplingmechanism 122 than those described above.

[0028] The closure mechanism 120 operates to secure the lid 118 over theopening 126 of the body 116. As illustrated, the closure mechanism 20 isa catch-type mechanism comprising a first portion 140 associated withthe body 116 and a second portion 150 associated with the lid 118. Thefirst portion 140 takes the form of an elongated protrusion 142projecting forth from an interior surface of the body 116 to present amale catch end 144 protruding substantially beyond the opening 126 ofthe body 116, preferably on a side of the body 116 which issubstantially opposite the hinge 138. The second portion 150 of theclosure mechanism 120 takes the form of a female recess 154 or slot inan interior surface of the lid 118 in alignment with and correspondingto the male catch end 144 of the first portion 140. Thus, when the lid118 is closed over the opening 126, the catch end 144 of the firstportion 140 is snugly received within recess 154 of the second portion150.

[0029] The coupling mechanism 122 functions to removably couple the body116 with the conventional container 112. As illustrated, the couplingmechanism 122 is a catch-type mechanism comprising a pair of legs 160attached to or incorporated into a bottom exterior surface of the body116 and projecting downwardly therefrom. Each leg 160 includes aflexible portion 162 and, at a distal end of the leg 150, a male catch164. When pushed onto the lid 170 of the conventional container 112, theflexible portion 162 of the leg 160 deflects sufficiently to allow themale catch 164 to pass over a lip portion 172 of the lid 170, whereafterthe flexible portion 162 returns to its original state and the malecatch 164 is securely caught under the lip 172 of the lid 170. Thus, thecatch-type coupling mechanism 122 provides a reliable coupling betweenthe body 116 and the conventional container 112, which is easilyuncoupled with minimal force when access to the conventional container112 is desired.

[0030] In one contemplated embodiment, an elongated and substantiallyrigid secondary leg 166 is provided adjacent each leg 160 to aid instabilizing the auxiliary container 110 on the conventional container112, thereby helping to prevent the auxiliary container 110 frombecoming inadvertently dislodged. The secondary legs 166 aresubstantially similar to the legs 160, but are preferably longer,extending further down the sides of the conventional container 112, anddo not present a catch mechanism, relying instead on close physicalproximity and contact with the conventional container 112 tosubstantially oppose lateral movement of the auxiliary container 110relative thereto.

[0031] Regardless of the embodiment implemented, the auxiliary container10,110 may include a number of other features related to safety andconvenience, including, for example, conventional child-proof safetyfeatures incorporated into the lid 18,118 to prevent access by a childto the contents 14,114 of the auxiliary container 10,110. Furthermore,the auxiliary container 10,110 may present a textual or symbolic messageindicating its existence or the nature of its contents 14,114.

[0032] In exemplary use and operation, referring again to the preferredfirst embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, a user first couples the auxiliarycontainer 10 with the conventional container 12 using the couplingmechanism 22. Where the coupling mechanism 22 is an adhesive-typemechanism, the coupling mechanism 22 should be properly positioned andbrought into direct physical contact with the surfaces to be adhered to.Alternatively, where the coupling mechanism 122 is a compressive-typemechanism, such as was described above in the preferred secondembodiment, the auxiliary container 110 should be pushed down onto thelid 170 of the conventional container 112 until the male catch 164 ofeach leg 160 is securely received beneath the lip portion 172 of the lid170. Regardless of the type of coupling mechanism 22 used, it is notnecessary to unseal, remove, or replace the conventional container's 12original lid 18, thereby eliminating potentially damaging exposure ofthe contents of the conventional container 12.

[0033] The user may then place the supplementary medication 14 or othercontents into the interior space 26 of the auxiliary container 10. Theuser may then close the lid 18 to engage the closure mechanism 20 whichsecures the lid 18 and prevents loss or exposure of the supplementarymedication 14.

[0034] Thereafter, the supplementary medication 14 is available forimmediate use whenever and wherever the conventional container 12 ispresent. For example, a person at high risk of a heart attack may couplethe auxiliary container 10 with the existing lid 70 of their heartmedication container 12, whether it be a pill bottle, cream tube, orspray can. One or more aspirin tablets 14 or other medication may thenbe placed within the interior space 26, and the lid 18 closed. Asmentioned, aspirin use upon onset of a heart attack improvessurvivability, carrying aspirin in a closely associated relationshipwith the primary heart medication provides a distinct health advantage.When the user perceives the possible onset of a heart attack, he or she,having their heart medicine bottle 12 immediately available, quicklyopens the lid 18 of the auxiliary container 10 and consumes the aspirin14. Thus, the present invention provides the benefits and advantages ofimmediate aspirin availability while freeing the user from theinconvenience of carrying an aspirin bottle or the loss risk associatedwith carrying individual pills.

[0035] From the preceding description, it will be appreciated that theauxiliary container of the present invention provides readily accessiblestorage for supplementary medication or other objects in closeassociation with a primary medication such that both are convenientlyavailable for immediate use. It will be appreciated that, depending onthe coupling mechanism used, the auxiliary container is potentiallyusable with any size or type of conventional container, thereby reducingmanufacturing and inventory costs by requiring fewer versions than thereplacement lids or caps of the prior art. Although the invention hasbeen described with reference to the preferred embodiment illustrated inthe attached drawings, it is noted that equivalents may be employed andsubstitutions made herein without departing from the scope of theinvention as recited in the claims. Thus, as mentioned, the concept ofthe present invention is independent of any particular body shape, lidtype, closure mechanism, or coupling mechanism such that a variety ofalternative configurations and embodiments may be devised which do notdepart from the contemplated scope of the present invention.

Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the invention, what isclaimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includesthe following:
 1. An auxiliary container adapted for physicalassociation with a conventional medication container, the auxiliarycontainer comprising: a body substantially defining an interior spaceand having an opening providing access to the interior space; a lidcorresponding to the opening and operable to removably secure thereoverso as to further define the interior space and to restrict access to theinterior space; and a coupling mechanism operable to removably couplethe auxiliary container with the conventional medication container,wherein such coupling does not require opening the conventionalmedication container.
 2. The auxiliary container as set forth in claim1, wherein the conventional medication container is selected from thegroup consisting of: bottles, pill bottles, spray bottles, tubes,squeeze tubes, and spray cans.
 3. The auxiliary container as set forthin claim 1, wherein the interior space has a volume of betweenapproximately 0.16-0.32 cubic inch
 4. The auxiliary container as setforth in claim 1, wherein the interior space is substantiallycylindrical and has a radius of approximately between 0.50-1.50 inch anda depth of approximately between 0.20-0.50 inch.
 5. The auxiliarycontainer as set forth in claim 1, wherein the body includes a tabprojecting outwardly therefrom, with the tab having a hole operable toreceive an attachment mechanism.
 6. The auxiliary container as set forthin claim 1, wherein the lid is hingedly connected to the body.
 7. Theauxiliary container as set forth in claim 1, wherein the couplingmechanism includes a chemical adhesive.
 8. The auxiliary container asset forth in claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism includes amechanical catch.
 9. The auxiliary container as set forth in claim 1,wherein the coupling mechanism includes a leg depending from the body,the leg having a flexible portion and, at a distal end of the leg, amale catch, wherein the auxiliary container may be pushed onto theconventional medication container such that the male catch mechanicallycooperates with the conventional medication container to removablycouple the auxiliary container therewith.
 10. The auxiliary container asset forth in claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism includes anelongated and substantially rigid secondary leg depending from the bodyso as to be in substantially close physical proximity to theconventional medication container, thereby substantially opposinglateral movement of the auxiliary container relative to the conventionalmedication container.
 11. The auxiliary container as set forth in claim1, further including a closure mechanism for securing the lid over theopening in the body.
 12. An auxiliary container adapted for physicalassociation with a conventional medication container, the auxiliarycontainer comprising: a body substantially defining an interior spacehaving a volume of between approximately 0.16-0.32 cubic inch, and thebody having an opening providing access to the interior space; a lidhingedly connected to the body and corresponding to the opening andoperable to removably secure thereover so as to further define theinterior space and to restrict access to the interior space; a closuremechanism for securing the lid over the opening in the body; and acoupling mechanism operable to removably couple the auxiliary containerwith the conventional medication container, wherein such coupling doesnot require opening the conventional medication container.
 13. Theauxiliary container as set forth in claim 12, wherein the conventionalmedication container is selected from the group consisting of: bottles,pill bottles, spray bottles, tubes, squeeze tubes, cans, and spray cans.14. The auxiliary container as set forth in claim 12, wherein theinterior space is substantially cylindrical and has a radius ofapproximately between 0.50-1.50 inch and a depth of approximatelybetween 0.20-0.50 inch.
 15. The auxiliary container as set forth inclaim 12, wherein the body includes a tab projecting outwardlytherefrom, with the tab having a hole operable to receive an attachmentmechanism.
 16. The auxiliary container as set forth in claim 12, whereinthe coupling mechanism includes a chemical adhesive.
 17. The auxiliarycontainer as set forth in claim 12, wherein the coupling mechanismincludes a mechanical catch.
 18. The auxiliary container as set forth inclaim 12, wherein the coupling mechanism includes an elongated andsubstantially rigid secondary leg depending from the body so as to be insubstantially close physical proximity to the conventional medicationcontainer, thereby substantially opposing lateral movement of theauxiliary container relative to the conventional medication container.19. An auxiliary container adapted for physical association with a heartmedication container, the auxiliary container comprising: a bodysubstantially defining an interior space which is substantiallycylindrical and has a radius of approximately between 0.50-1.50 inch anda depth of approximately between 0.20-0.50 inch, and the body having anopening providing access to the interior space; a lid hingedly connectedto the body and corresponding to the opening and operable to removablysecure thereover so as to further define the interior space and torestrict access to the interior space; a closure mechanism for securingthe lid over the opening in the body; and a coupling mechanism operableto removably couple the auxiliary container with the heart medicationcontainer, wherein such coupling does not require opening the heartmedication container.
 20. The auxiliary container as set forth in claim19, wherein the heart medication container is selected from the groupconsisting of: bottles, pill bottles, spray bottles, tubes, squeezetubes, cans, and spray cans.
 21. The auxiliary container as set forth inclaim 19, wherein the body includes a tab projecting outwardlytherefrom, with the tab having a hole operable to receive an attachmentmechanism.
 22. The auxiliary container as set forth in claim 19, whereinthe coupling mechanism includes a chemical adhesive.
 23. The auxiliarycontainer as set forth in claim 19, wherein the coupling mechanismincludes a mechanical catch.
 24. The auxiliary container as set forth inclaim 19, wherein the coupling mechanism includes an elongated andsubstantially rigid secondary leg depending from the body so as to be insubstantially close physical proximity to the conventional medicationcontainer, thereby substantially opposing lateral movement of theauxiliary container relative to the conventional medication container.